National Wildlife Refuge System; 2026-2027 Station-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations
Key claim: The Fish and Wildlife Service is opening or expanding hunting and sport fishing at 111 wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries—including first-time access at 17 sites—adding more than 1,450 public opportunities.
Abstract
(Rule · Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service) We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS or Service), open or expand hunting opportunities on 111 field stations, including 107 units of the National Wildlife Refuges System (Refuge System or NWRS) and 4 units of the National Fish Hatchery System (Hatchery System or NFHS). This includes opening hunting or sport fishing opportunities for the first time on 14 National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and 3 National Fish Hatcheries (NFH). These actions will open or expand more than 1,450 opportunities for hunting and fishing across the NWRS and NFHS in order to increase access for the American public. In accordance with Secretary’s Order (S.O.) 3447 and Director’s Order (D.O.) 233, we also make changes to existing station-specific regulations in order to improve the clarity and accuracy of regulations, reduce the regulatory burden on the public, ensure consistency across FWS lands and waters, and comply with a Presidential mandate for plain-language standards.
Why this matters
The annual station-specific rule is the primary vehicle by which FWS calibrates public hunting and fishing access across the National Wildlife Refuge System, directly shaping recreation opportunity, wildlife management, and local economies near refuges. Expansion at 111 units—including first-time openings at 17 sites—signals continued policy tilt toward broader consumptive-use access on federal conservation lands, with downstream implications for species management, user conflict, and refuge staffing.